I have been using coreldraw since version 6. Although I have X3 I still use photopaint 9 because the effect tool (v) in smear mode which I use a lot in my work does not function the same way as in Version 9.

When I want to Smear an object in 9 I can do that at any direction and shape my object as I please. In X3 I can only do it going out of the object and not inwards, like to push the edges in and out. Downloaded X4 same thing. This makes the tool useless, unless you are using it on a flat image. I can smear inwards by using clip mask but if you want to go in and out, toggling between clip mask and object is ridiculous and it does not allow accurate smearing.

Is there a possibility that another tool or setting will make it work as it did in 9. I am very disappointed because this issue renders photopaint X3 & X4 useless for me.

Any help will be appreciated.

P.S. To replicate my issue just open an image. Create any type of object. Square lets say with a different color from the background of course, select V on the keyboard and try smearing the object in and out. What a bummer.

See Attached.

Open the Brush Settings Docker using CTRL F8

Navigate to the Dab Attributes

If you enable the "Toggle Merge Source" Icon (see Diagram to the right)

It works as you wish.

Thanks for your reply Rikk,

Unfortunately that does not do what I am saying. I tried that when I bought X3. That merges the background color with the object.

What I am saying is, smear the object the same way you do it from the inside out, to do it from out to inside. See my examples.

I have an image that has a black background. I created a red circle. I take my V tool with the smear effect and a push from the outside of the circle inwards.

		This is my Image with a black background
		If I merge source as you are suggesting in X3 I will get this on my object.
		Corel PhotoPaint9 will give me this without merging source. I also can merge source in 9 but that's not what I want.
		Can you do this without using an eraser in X3? If yes please show me how.   This is a great tool to fix edges of images without using an eraser and it also works with a clip mask in PhotoPaint9. That is why I still dont use X3.

If there is a solution someone let me know. It will be greatly appreciated. If not then this is a problem that was never fixed since Version 12.

I find it strange that I am the only one that has addressed this issue, unless I am doing something wrong.

 I cannot do this without an eraser or a clip mask. I would have used those tools anyway. Clip masks are undoable and non-destructive so it would have been my first choice in any case. Having used CD since Version 5, I must say that I have never attempted what you are trying so it isn't surprising that few people are aware of it.

 Well the issue with clip mask is that when you want to go the other way out of the object it wont let you. It makes this feature useless. Thats the good thing on 9. You have the freedom to shape an object as you please. I am an illustrator and for me this tool is vital. Imagine not having to use clip mask or anything. It is one of the best tools that I use in photopaint. But with the combination of clip mask you can do wonders.

I guess I'm stuck on Photopaint 9. I will see if anyone at Corel knows anything about this? Maybe it is on purpose so you have to use Painter to do this.

Hi GX,

From a technical standpoint, I agree that it should work as it did in 9. After all, if pixels can be expanded outwards on floating object, they should also be able to go inwards just as easily. I'll log it as a bug.

GX5000:

When I want to Smear an object in 9 I can do that at any direction and shape my object as I please. In X3 I can only do it going out of the object and not inwards, like to push the edges in and out.

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for checking out the post. I have stayed away from any new version of Photopaint just because of that issue. Although I do use the new versions of Draw.

If this could possibly be looked at that would be great. It must be a minor glitch that was overlooked.

The attached images would be possible to create without the tool working as it does in 9 but it wouldnt be as easy and for sure more time consuming.

I am a serious user of Photopaint and any priority would be appreciated.

Whoa, that is some serious art. Bug has now been logged, nothing else I can do, I hope it gets fixed! :-)

GX5000:

The attached images would be possible to create without the tool working as it does in 9 but it wouldnt be as easy and for sure more time consuming.

I am a serious user of Photopaint and any priority would be appreciated.

 Thanks Jeff.

I'd liked to move up to X4 if this issue was fixed. I downloaded the trial and it seemed to be working a lot faster than 9 on most things. Not everything though. It had some display glitch with fonts showing all jaggie when zoomed out.

Oh well cant win them all.

Hi GX,

IMO you'd be a good candidate for the next beta cycle, I think Corel needs more hi-end users to really put some pressure on to keep the product at a pro level.

For ex, one thing I find lacking is fast access to favorite brushes. But, I just did some digging now. In the artistic media docker, one can create a brush group. This hopefully allows one to get away from the distracting qty. of built in brushes, many impractical FME. then you can see your own brushes and select them fast. For ex. I have a tablet, but don't always want pressure sens. Also, I highlight lots of stuff on screen shots and want a brush for that only.

I'll test more..

GX5000:

I'd liked to move up to X4 if this issue was fixed. I downloaded the trial and it seemed to be working a lot faster than 9 on most things. Not everything though. It had some display glitch with fonts showing all jaggie when zoomed out.

Oh well cant win them all.

How do you become a candidate for the next beta cycle?

My list for improvements is endless. LOL. To be honest with you the solution is one. Just merge Painter with Photopaint and we are done. Layers and tools and layout in Painter need to be like they are in Photopaint. Photopaint needs the custom brush features and libraries from Painter. (that would solve your problem on the brush favorites).

Well if that ever happens I won't have to hear about Photoshop anymore.

 Very interessting thread. and very interessting and professional works, GX5000! I was missing more contributions of PP-Works in the galleries, the only ones I know are Jeff and Mosh. Would like to upload some works too, but I dare not, if there are only a few PP-Users. I mean, it's Corel-DRAW-.com, isn't it?

GX5000:

Just merge Painter with Photopaint and we are done. Layers and tools and layout in Painter need to be like they are in Photopaint. Photopaint needs the custom brush features and libraries from Painter. (that would solve your problem on the brush favorites).

Well if that ever happens I won't have to hear about Photoshop anymore.

If that ever happens, I'll be going with you!! Exactly what keeps me away from painter and what I am missing in Photopaint! And if that ever happens, we could get many more PS-User to use Photopaint...maybe even the world domination LOL.

PS: I have missed the feature of the smear tool like you've described too, but I changed my working technique to the use of the anti-rasterize tool, It results in an oilpainted look. Everyone should be undependent in the choice of tools, but...

mo:

 Very interessting thread. and very interessting and professional works, GX5000! I was missing more contributions of PP-Works in the galleries, the only ones I know are Jeff and Mosh. Would like to upload some works too, but I dare not, if there are only a few PP-Users. I mean, it's Corel-DRAW-.com, isn't it?

GX5000:

Just merge Painter with Photopaint and we are done. Layers and tools and layout in Painter need to be like they are in Photopaint. Photopaint needs the custom brush features and libraries from Painter. (that would solve your problem on the brush favorites).

Well if that ever happens I won't have to hear about Photoshop anymore.

If that ever happens, I'll be going with you!! Exactly what keeps me away from painter and what I am missing in Photopaint! And if that ever happens, we could get many more PS-User to use Photopaint...maybe even the world domination LOL.

PS: I have missed the feature of the smear tool like you've described too, but I changed my working technique to the use of the anti-rasterize tool, It results in an oilpainted look. Everyone should be undependent in the choice of tools, but...

Well Photopaint is part of CorelDraw. Are we not allowed to place Photopaint images? I'm a new user here so let me know.

Were is the anti-rasterize tool? Are you talking about a flter?

Someone from Corel may contact you, or you'll see a public call for testers.

GX5000:

How do you become a candidate for the next beta cycle?

GX5000:

Well Photopaint is part of CorelDraw. Are we not allowed to place Photopaint images? I'm a new user here so let me know.

Were is the anti-rasterize tool? Are you talking about a flter?

 I think we are allowed to do so, but primary it's a Draw-forum, I guess. IMO there are only too few PhotoPaint-Images! The borders between Draw and PP are blurring the more versions are published. In my workflow for example, it's very unusual and vice versa: I draw my sketches in PP and paint in Draw(yes, it's possible)! Guys like you encourage me to post my PP works too....

This is the rasterize tool, in the same palette as the smudge tool: